Laundry retrieval and insertion tool and method of using same

Abstract

A laundry retrieval device enables a method of inserting and method of retrieving laundry from a laundry machine using gravity to facilitate the process. The drum of the laundry machine is rotated to cause laundry to fall out of the laundry retrieval device for insertion and onto the laundry retrieval device for retrieval. An exemplary laundry retrieval device has a panel of material that extends within a resilient and flexible hoop component. The panel drapes within the hoop and one or more apertures between the panel and the hoop component forms handles for picking up and manipulating the laundry retrieval device. The hoop component is resilient and flexible to enable the laundry retrieval device to be folded around the laundry for insertion through the door opening and retrieval through the door opening of a laundry machine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A laundry retrieval device comprising:
 a) a hoop component comprising a ring that is resilient and flexible;   b) a panel extending within the hoop component and coupled to the hoop;
 wherein the panel is a fabric that has a drape depth of at least 25 mm with laundry configured on the panel within the hoop component; 
 wherein the laundry retrieval device is configured to bend by folding for insertion into a laundry machine through a door opening of the laundry machine and into a drum of the laundry machine, above said laundry in said laundry machine; 
 whereby rotating said drum of the laundry machine positions said laundry above the laundry retrieval device to cause the laundry to fall onto the panel of the laundry retrieval device; 
 wherein the laundry retrieval device is configured to bend by folding to configure the laundry retrieval device around the laundry contained thereon for removal of the laundry retrieval device from the laundry machine. 
   
     
     
         2 . The laundry retrieval device of  claim 1 , wherein the ring has a diameter of at least 40 cm. 
     
     
         3 . The laundry retrieval device of  claim 1 , wherein the hoop component is configured to be folded to place a first side against an opposing second side. 
     
     
         4 . The laundry retrieval device of  claim 1 , wherein the ring of the hoop component is made of metal. 
     
     
         5 . The laundry retrieval device of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is larger in area than an area of the hoop portion such that the panel has a drape depth of at least 25 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The laundry retrieval device of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is an elastic fabric having an elongation that enables the hoop component to be collapsed forming two or more folded hoops. 
     
     
         7 . The laundry retrieval device of  claim 6 , wherein the elastic fabric has an elongation of at least 50% at 70% of max load. 
     
     
         8 . The laundry retrieval device of  claim 1 , wherein the panel has a drape depth of at least 50 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The laundry retrieval device of  claim 1 , wherein the laundry retrieval device comprises two apertures forming handles between the ring and the panel. 
     
     
         10 . The laundry retrieval device of  claim 9 , wherein the handles are configured on opposing sides of the hoop component. 
     
     
         11 . The laundry retrieval device of  claim 1 , wherein the laundry retrieval device comprises four apertures forming handles between the ring and the panel. 
     
     
         12 . The laundry retrieval device of  claim 11 , wherein handles are configured within 15 degrees of 90 degrees, apart about an outer perimeter of the hoop component. 
     
     
         13 . The laundry retrieval device of  claim 1 , wherein the laundry retrieval device is configured to be collapsed into a collapsed laundry retrieval device having two or more spiral hoops. 
     
     
         14 . The laundry retrieval device of  claim 13 , wherein the laundry retrieval device further comprises a pouch configured to retain the collapsed laundry retrieval device. 
     
     
         15 . The laundry retrieval device of  claim 14 , wherein the pouch is coupled to the hoop component. 
     
     
         16 . The laundry retrieval device of  claim 1 , wherein the ring is made of spring steel. 
     
     
         17 . The laundry retrieval device of  claim 16 , further comprising a hoop cover that is configured around the ring. 
     
     
         18 . The laundry retrieval device of  claim 17 , wherein the hoop cover forms a sleeve for receiving the ring therein. 
     
     
         19 . The laundry retrieval device of  claim 18 , wherein the hoop cover is foam.